Towards automation of low standardized logistic processes by use of cyber physical robotic systems (CPRS)

Global logistics networks have an increasing demand for handling of general cargo. Particularly, huband-spoke networks requires a lot of handling actions in order to realize benefits in comparison to point-topoint networks. The use of automation technologies for improving the handling efficiency is still very challenging because of low standardized logistic processes. Depending on requests of suppliers and customers the logistics service providers have to develop individual solutions of logistic processes. In most times, it requires the flexible use of industrial robots and leads to complex and time-consuming tasks of robot programming. In order to face this challenge, this paper presents an approach for intuitive control of robots by using the idea of a cyber physical system (CPS). Thereby, challenges for automation of logistic processes are described and the main idea of cyber physical systems is discussed. Subsequently the concept of cyber physical robotic systems for logistics (CPRSL) is depicted and an example application is given, which bases on robot programming by demonstration (PbD). Key-Words: cyber physical systems, industrial robots, cooperative robotics, virtual reality, human machine interface, human computer interaction